A Visual History The Building of Aslan

Post Launch Modifications Updated 7/22/01

What is it they say about the best laid plans of mice and men?  This page contains links to what are mostly shining examples of my mistakes in building Aslan.  I've incorporated the failures and updates into the regular construction pages, so the poor soul finding these pages for the first time doesn't have to learn the lesson the way I did.  Click on the links to go to that page, and use your brower's "Back" button to return here.
 

Laminated Mast Hoops Updated 6/03/01.  Jumbled on deck are the remains of the mast hoops I laminated out of Woodtape veneer tape ... real wood with a heat sensitive adhesive on the back intended to be ironed on to plywood.  Alas, the glue is too soft, and even the thickest hoops made with this time-consuming and frustrating process deformed badly enough to warrant replacement.  I ended up with mast hoops made of 4" ABS couplings that work better, and look pretty good too.  Click on the link above to see the updated page on making mast hoops.

Finishing Details Updated 7/22/01 I've added some details on modifying the rudder.  I had tapered only the leading edge, but found that at high speed there's quite a bit of shudder.  So I'm experimenting with tapering the trailing edge of the rudder as well.  In addition, I have changes to how I mounted the trailboards on Aslan; at first I had them mounted into the bowsprit at a jaunty angle, but looked around and found that was wrong; they are now moved to mount into the stem.

A Tiller for Aslan Updated 8/12/01 The Catalina tiller I bought extends into the cockpit about 14", so I'm trying a new design that will extend in just about an inch.  That still makes the tiller 24" long, which I hope will be enough to provide the leverage needed to steer Aslan (I think it will.)

Jib Sheet Modifications Updated 10/7/01 After seeing the jib clubfoot beat itself to death in gusty winds, and dealing with going forward to raise the jib (and then connect the clew to the jib clubfoot), I decided to try rigging Aslan with two jib sheets.  I love the extra control over sail shape I get.  And, I can have the clew attached to the sheets with the jib bunched up on deck, or raise the jib and let both sheets loose without the clubfoot banging around.  The link takes you to a new page with just these mods.  The original rigging is found on the Running Rigging & Sails page, but it was getting a bit large with all the pics.

A New Topping Lift Updated 12/23/01 After seeing John Henry's plans for an inexpensive and elegantly simple topping lift on the Weekender Boatbuilding site, I decided to add one to Aslan. Borrowing heavily from the ideas in the "Clever Topping Lift" thread in the message board there, I modified the ideas a bit.  While this wouldn't be appropriate for a blue water boat, for the light loads the Weekender has, this toppping lift is perfect.

A Tiller for Aslan (Again!) Updated 6/2/02 OK, so the shorter tiller didn't quite make the grade.  It was fine for light airs (a nice way of saying no wind!), but for days when the sailing is normally a lot of fun (WIND!) it was a chore to hang on to.  So I detail making a new laminated tiller in an additional 7 pictures (added to the original tiller page).